Relation between Placental Thickness Measurements and Fetal Outcome in Patients with Intra- Uterine Growth Restriction [IUGR]

Abstract

Background: Placental thickness appears to be a promising parameter for estimation of gestational age of the fetus due to steady increase in placental thickness with gestational age. Aim of the work: To investigate the relationship between placental thickness and fetal outcome in patients with intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR]. Patients and Methods:This study included patients with fetuses diagnosed clinically and by ultrasound as IUGR [estimated fetal weight <10th percentile for gestational age], singleton pregnancy, gestational age between 28 – 40 weeks of gestation, maternal age between 20-40 years old and body mass index between 18-30 kg/m2. The placental thickness was measured at the second and third trimesters and correlated with the fetal outcome. Results: Results revealed that, estimated fetal weight significantly increased in normal placenta when compared to either thin or thick placentae. In addition, thin placentae had significantly low fetal birth weight [1936.4±409.2] when compared to thick placentae [2236.4±410.1] or normal placentae [2636.4±421.4]. Also, Apgar score was significantly higher and need for NICU admission were significantly lower with normal placentae. In addition, there is significant positive correlation between 3rd trimester placental thickness and fetal birth weight, placental weight and APGAR score. Conclusion: Placental thickness could predict deviations from norms of birth weight in late pregnancy. It seems to be promising for estimation of gestational age of the fetus and predicting fetal outcome.

Keywords

• tthird trimester
• placental thickness
• birth weight
• fetal
• intrauterine growth restriction